EU foreign policy chief: US – Iran ceasefire agreement ‘a step back from the brink’

The US–Iran agreement on a ceasefire is a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X on April 8.

The BBC reported that US president Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, if shipping is allowed through the Strait of Hormuz. This followed Trump’s vociferous threats against Iran.

Kallas said: “It creates a much-needed chance to tone down threats, stop missiles, restart shipping, and create space for diplomacy towards a lasting agreement. The Strait of Hormuz must be open for passage again”.

She said that she had spoken to Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and thanked him for securing this initial deal.

“The door to mediation must remain open, as the underlying causes of the war remain unresolved,” Kallas said.

“The EU stands ready to support those efforts and is in touch with partners in the region. I will discuss this in Saudi Arabia today,” she said.

European Council President António Costa said on X: “I welcome the announcement by the United States and Iran of a two-week ceasefire.

“I urge all parties to uphold its terms in order to achieve sustainable peace in the region. The EU stands ready to support ongoing efforts and remains in close contact with its partners in the region. I thank Pakistan and all other parties involved in facilitating this agreement,” Costa said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, saying that it brings much-needed de-escalation.

“I thank Pakistan for its mediation. Now it is crucial that negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict continue. We will continue coordinating with our partners to this end,” Von der Leyen said.